Throwing or dumping of garbage has been a major cause of flooding in the Metro.

With at least 1,000 volunteers from schools, barangays, NGOs, socio-civic organizations, and other private individuals and groups joined Villar Foundation Managing Director Cynthia Villar in the cleanup drive held last August 25 at Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat & Eco-Tourism Area or LPPCHEA.

The Villar Foundation also known for its environment-related advocacies just signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) as represented by radio station DZRH in its Manila Bay Cleanup drive.

The successful cleanup drive along the coastline of Manila Bay from Navotas to Bacoor, Cavite helped promote sustainable ecosystem of Manila Bay.

According to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), there were at least 200 truckloads or over 500 tons of garbage collected around Manila Bay area due to the recent typhoon Gener and it took them weeks to completely collect the big piles of garbage.

“We have always been concerned about the condition of the Manila Bay. The recent typhoons have shown all of us the bay’s decaying state due to people’s indiscriminate throwing and dumping of garbage there. Regular cleanup drives such as this are always a good idea,” said Villar.

“The foundation conducts regular weekly cleanups at LPPCHEA but Saturday’s cleanup drive with DZRH is just bigger in terms of number of volunteers” says the Villar Foundation.

“The Villar Foundation and DZRH agree that this is a joint cooperative undertaking, but more importantly, it is a major public service activity that shall help contribute to the promotion of a livable, healthier and ecological sustainable Manila Bay,” cited the MOA.

What do you think will happen if there were no activities such as this? Garbage will continue to pile up on shore and rivers. Who’s really in charge of cleaning and maintaining Manila Bay?

We can do our part by devoting few hours of our time participating in environmental advocacies such as cleanup drives and tree planting. That way we don’t only show our love for mother earth we also save the future of our loved ones, the next generation.

Kudos to the Villar Foundation and DZRH!

How about you, have you been involved in advocacies such as this? How did you find the experience?